Led by Dr. Anne-Marie Coll, Associate Professor for Nursing and Health at the University of South Wales (USW), a research team has secured funding from the Research Innovation Group at USW’s Faculty of Life Sciences and Education to conduct an exploratory study on oral health issues among refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.
Partnering with Displaced People in Action (DPIA), a charity dedicated to assisting individuals seeking sanctuary, the study aims to fill a significant research gap in Wales. Through interviews with case workers supporting asylum seekers and refugees, the team has identified common challenges such as language barriers, financial constraints, and cultural factors impacting oral health.
Dr. Ashra Khanom, Senior Research Fellow at Swansea University Medical School, noted the findings from the HEAR (Health Experiences of Asylum Seekers and Refugees) Study, which underscored dental care as a critical concern among these communities. The current study seeks to pioneer new approaches to preventive dental care tailored to their needs, with potential applications for other vulnerable groups.
Dr. Coll emphasized that oral health ranks as the second highest unmet need among asylum seekers and refugees. The research aims to highlight the profound impact of poor oral health and address disparities in access to dental care. The ultimate goal is to inform policy improvements and enhance healthcare services for these vulnerable populations, alongside promoting education on oral health prevention programs.
The team is actively pursuing additional funding to expand their research scope, with plans to develop workshops covering various health topics including oral health, diet, and navigating the NHS. These workshops aim to empower refugees and asylum seekers with essential knowledge often unfamiliar to them upon arrival.
The research team at USW includes Dr. Teresa Filipponi, Dr. Dilini Ratnayake, Dr. Wayne Richards, and Emeritus Professor Jamal Ameen, underscoring the collaborative effort driving this crucial initiative forward.
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